# US 12,108,951 B2 · Staple cartridge comprising a sensing array and a temperature control system

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- Number: US 12,108,951 B2
- Document ID: US12108951B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/186,373
- Filed: 2021-02-26
- Published: 2022-09-01
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2021-02-26
- Assignees: Cilag GmbH International
- Applicants: Cilag GmbH International
- Inventors: Patrick L. Creamer; Frederick E. Shelton, IV; Shane R. Adams; Jason L Harris
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12108951B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
- A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially}
- A61B 34/30: Surgical robots
- A61B 90/98: using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
- G01L 1/146: {for measuring force distributions, e.g. using force arrays (G01L1/148 takes precedence)}
- G01L 5/009: {Force sensors associated with material gripping devices}
- G16H 20/40: relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
- G16H 40/63: for local operation
- A61B 2017/00026: {Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue}
- A61B 2017/00075: {Motion}
- A61B 2017/00084: {Temperature}
- A61B 2017/00221: {with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves}
- A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids}
- A61B 2017/00725: {Calibration or performance testing}
- A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated}
- A61B 2017/00929: {isolating electrical current}
- A61B 2017/07228: {Arrangement of the staples}
- A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil}
- A61B 2017/07264: {characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material}
- A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge}
- A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder}
- A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter}
- A61B 2090/037: {with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter}
- A61B 2090/038: {during shipment}
- A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G)
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA

## Abstract

A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, a sensor array, and a thermal control system is disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A surgical stapling system, comprising:
an end effector;
a cartridge body removable from said end effector and comprising a deck and staple cavities defined in said deck;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein said staples are ejected from said staple cavities during a staple firing stroke;
a staple firing drive configured to produce said staple firing stroke;
a sensing array configured to assess a parameter of patient tissue supported by said cartridge body;
a heat sink contained entirely within said cartridge body and configured to conduct heat away from said sensing array and to at least a portion of said cartridge body, the heat sink comprising a longitudinal rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end of said cartridge body;
a temperature sensor in said cartridge body;
a data transmission antenna; and
a control system in communication with said sensing array, said temperature sensor, and said data transmission antenna, wherein said control system is configured to receive sensed tissue data from said sensing array and sensed temperature data from said temperature sensor, and wherein said control system is configured to output processed data derived from said sensed tissue data and said sensed temperature data to said data transmission antenna.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said processed data is said sensed tissue data when said sensed temperature data is below a temperature threshold, and wherein said processed data comprises said sensed tissue data that has been modified in response to said sensed temperature data when said sensed temperature data is above said temperature threshold.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said processed data comprises said sensed tissue data that has been modified as a function of said sensed temperature data.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The surgical stapling system of claim 1, further comprising a handle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The surgical stapling system of claim 1, further comprising a housing configured to be attached to a robotic surgical system.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to said first jaw, and wherein said cartridge body is seated in said first jaw.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to said first jaw, and wherein said cartridge body is seated in said second jaw.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said heat sink further comprises lateral rails extending laterally from said longitudinal rail.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal rail comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein said first end is larger than said second end.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The surgical stapling system of claim 9, wherein said longitudinal rail is tapered between said first end and said second end.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said heat sink comprises a first end comprised of a first metal and a second end comprised of a second metal, and wherein said first metal is different than said second metal.